Carton packing construction



Oct. 9, 1951 R. J. HENNEssl-:Y

CARTON PACKING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 27. 1948 me/who@ 10 3o 54 a9 ST3 l v B F 5 ussel/ Hennessey OC- 9, 1951 R. J. HENNEssEY 2,570,946

CARTON PACKING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 27, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiume Hen/wsse);

Patented Oct. 9, 1951 I 2,510,946 CARTON PACKING CONSTRUCTION Russell J. Hennessey, St. Paul, Minn., asslgnor to Waldorf Paper Products Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesotal Application December 27, 1948, Serial No. 67,359

l My invention relates to an improvement in carton packingy construction and deals particularly with a simple type of packing which has proven extremely effective in holding heavy articles such as electric flat irons or the like in position during handling and shipment.

Considerable difficulty is experienced in packing heavy articles such as electric irons and the like in preventing the articles from being broken during shipment. The bases of the irons are usually heavy and solid and do not require much protection. However, the handles of the irons are often made of plastic and other material which may be easily broken if a sharp blow or force is exerted thereagainst. For example if the iron is dropped while in inverted position the weight of the iron will often cause damage or breakage to the handle. Furthermore the iron handles often support the electrical controls for the iron and these controls are also L relatively fragile and break if subjected to a sharp blow.

The object of the present invention lies in providing a simple packing for use within a carton or container and protecting the portion of the iron above the heavy base thereof. The packing is so arranged as to hold the base of the iron against 9 Claims. (C1. 229-14) the bottom wall of the carton and thus to support the handle of the iron in spaced relation to the carton walls. Thus if the carton is dropped or subjected to hard handling the relatively fragile upper structure of the iron is protected from damage.

A feature ofthe present invention lies in the provision of a generally U-shaped packing mem- 5 ber having a base and substantially parallel side walls. Means are provided for holding the base of the iron against the base of the packing pad and means are also provided for urging the parallel sides of the packing against opposite walls of the carton. The vertical side walls of the packing therefore act not only to reinforce the sides of the carton or container against which they rest, but also act to withstand the force of a weight dropping upon the carton or to withstand the weight of the iron in the event the carton is dropped while the iron is in an inverted position.

An added feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a simple pad which holds the iron from longitudinal movement within the carton. The pad is formed of ber, heavy paper board or the like. The pad includes end folds which are folded to overlie portions of the ends of the various pad panels. Diagonal crease lines are provided extending from the corners of the folds at the juncture between the ends of the bottom panel and the side wall panels, these diagonal fold lines extending toward the center of the folds overlying the bottom panel. When the side wall panels are folded into parallel relationship, the thickness of the pad and the resistance to folding of the pad cause the center part of the fold overlying the bottom panel to fold upwardly along the diagonal fold lines thus producing a tapered recess between the fold and the bottom panel into which the ends of the iron may engage.

An added feature of the present invention lies in folding a pad of ber board or heavy cardboard so that the portion of the fold overlyingr the bottom panel buckles upwardly to accommodate the iron ends and to provide continuations of the fold which extend vertically on opposite sides of the iron to hold the ends of the iron against the bottom panel. The vertically extending portions of the fold securely hold the center part of the fold in proper relation to the bottom panel and the iron is rmly locked against the bottom panel of the pad.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly auf'. ful set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pad with an iron in position thereupon, one side of the pad being folded upwardly as it would appear while in the carton and with the other side of the pad folded downwardly into the plane of the pad bottom panel.

Figure 2 is a sectional view centrally through a carton and through the pad showing the position of the pad in the carton with the iron removed.

Figure 3 is a top plan view ofl the carton and the pad therein, the view indicating the location of the iron in dotted outline.

Figure 4 is a plan viewl of the pad in unfolded form.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the carton with the iron removed.

The pad A is designed for accommodation into a carton B and is specifically shown in use in holding an iron C in proper position within the carton.

The carton B may be of any desired form of construction capable of containing the iron and the packing pad A. As shown in the drawings the carton B includes a iront wall I0, a rear wall II, and end walls I2 and I3. Flaps are provided on the lower edges of the carton walls, these flaps being\folded inwardly as indicated in Figures 2 and 5 ofthe drawings to form a bottom wall of suitable design. In the particular form of construction illustrated the end walls I2 and |3 are provided with integral bottom flaps I4 and I6 respectively, which fold into substantially -coplanar relationship. The front and rear walls It and are provided with bottom flaps |6 and I1 respectively which are provided with overlapping locking tongues I9 and 2|'lY which form a lock bottom. -If preferred the bottom closur could be glued or otherwise sealed.

`A cover panel 2| is foldably connected to the Y carton. Short flaps 23 and 24 are foldably connected to the upper extremities of the ends walls I2 and I3. These short flaps 23 and 24 are usually hinged down over the upper extremity of the pad A and are held in place by the cover panel 2|.

As indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings the pad A includes a bottom panel 2'6 which is hingedly connected along parallel fold lines A26 and 21 to pad side walls 29 and 30. The ends of the bottom panel and the side wall panels 29 and 30 are dened by parallel fold lines 3| and '32 spaced from the edges 33 and 34 of the pad. This arrangement provides integral side wall flaps and 36 connected to opposite ends of the side wall panel 29. Similar side wall flaps 31 and 39 are connected to opposite ends of theA side wall panel 30. Flap structures indicated in general by the numerals 40 and 4| are hingedly connected to opposite ends of the bottom panel 25. The side wall flaps are connected to the bottom flap structure along extensions of the fold lines 26 and 21. A diagonally extending fold line 4'2 extends from the juncture of the fold lines 26 and 3| to a mid-point on the free edge 33 of the ilap structure 40. A similar diagonal fold line 43 extends between the juncture of the fold lines 21 and 3| to the same mid-point 44 of the flap structure 40. A similar diagonal fold line 45 extends from the juncture of the fold lines 26 and 32 toward an intermediate point on the free edge 34 of the flange structure 4I.l

A diagonal fold line 46 likewise extends from the `iuncture of the fold lines 21 and 3 2 toward a mid-point of the free edge 34 of the flange structure 4|. A notch 41 is provided in the free edge 34 of the carton extending on either side of the mid-point of the flange structure 4I. This notch is arranged to extend on opposite sides of the handle of the iron as will be later described in detail to assist in holding the iron from twisting or from side movement. A similar notch could be provided in the free edge 33 1f desired, but such a notch has beenfound unnecessary in the particular arrangement disclosed.

The pad A is preferably formed of ilberboard or heavy card board which is at least 595000 of an inch thick and preferably somewhat thicker.

4This board tends to resist folding and has a natural springiness which tends to cause the stock to return to at form. The first step of forming the pad into bracing relation is to fold the psd upon the fold linea 3| and 32. While substantially at upon the center portion of the pad. However, because of the thickness of the stock the flap structure 46 and 4| overlying the bottom panel 26 could not remain flat after the panels 29 and 3l were folded upwardly into parallel relationship as the distance between the panels 29 and 33 is less than the ywidth of the ap structures 46 and 4|. Thus if the diagonal fold lines described herein were not employed the flap portions 43 and 4| Vwould buckle upwardly as the walls 23 and 33 were bent into parallel relation in order to compensate for the thickness of the stock of which the pad is made. By providing the diagonal fold lines described the applicant simplines the folding process and permits the intermediate flap structure 4I and 4| overlying the bottom panel 26 to fold upwardly into end pockets which may accommodate the pointed ends of the iron C.

As illustrated in the various figures of the drawings, the flap structure' 4|! includes a trlangular area 49which extends at an upwardly inclined anglefrom the fold line 3| to the flap structure mid point 44 overlying the pointed forward end 66 of the iron C. The flap structure 40 also includes an opposite pair of triangular panels 6| and 62 which incline upwardly and inwardly from the fold lines 26 and 26 to the flap structure mid point 44. Thus in effect the flap structure 4l forms one-half of a pyramidal structure which forms a secure pocket for enclosing the forward end 69 of the iron.

The flap structure 4| also includes a triangular area 53 which extends upwardly and inwardly from the fold line 32 at the end of the bottom panel 26 toward the mid point of the free edge 34 of the flap structure. The flap structure 4| also includes a pair of upwardly and inwardly inclined triangular areas 64 and 66 which incline upwardly and inwardly from the fold lines 26 and 21 to the mid point of the free edge 34 of the ap structure 4|. Thus the flap structure 4| also forms substantially one-half of a pyramid for accommodating the sloping rear end 66 of the iron C.

The handle 56 of the iron C comprises a substantially inverted U-shaped body connected at its forward end 61 to the `body of the iron and also connected at its rear end 69 to the body of the iron. The notch 41 extends on opposite sides of the handle 66 at its connected end 69, thus preventing lateral movement ofthis end of the iron. The shape of the forward part of the iron is such that the triangular areas 6| and 62 engage the iron body and hold it from lateral movement. However, if desired a notch similar to the notch 41 could be provided to engage the handle end 61.

It will be noted that as the side wall flaps A36, 36. 36. and 39 are connected to the side wall panels 29 and 33 along parallel lines vof fold, the upper edge of these flaps in folded condition will be on the same plane as the upper edges of the side wall panels 23 and 3l. Similarhr the lower ends of these flaps connected by the fold/lines 23 and 21 to the flap structures 4l and 4| rest upon the upper surface of the bottom panel 26. Because of the upward bulging of the center portion of the ap structures 4l and 4|, the aps 35. 36. 36, and 3l may be slightly spaced from the wall panels when the pad A is in place. These naps muy against the top wel 2| o! the csrresisted not only by ton and against the top flaps 23 and 24 of the carton and hold the fold lines between the naps and vthe rflap :structures 40 and 4I against the upper surface of the bottom panel 25. Thus when the carton B is closed the pockets at opposite ends of the bottom panel can not increase or decrease in size or shape. As a result the ends of the iron C are firmly held against the bottom panel 25 andthe iron is held from longitudinal or lateral movement with respect thereto.

The'side wall panels 29 and 30 are slightly higher than the handle 56 of the iron so that the handle is spaced from the top panel 2l when the carton B is closed. The iron is rmly held by the pad A from twisting or from movement away from the pad 25 and therefore the handle 58 is effectively protected from injury during the handling or shipment.

I have found that mypad structure has been extremely effective in protecting irons during handling and shipment and that very little breakage has resulted from these operations. Weight placed upon the top of the carton is the carton walls, but by the side walls of the pad and .by the side flaps thereof. The side panels 29 'and -30 engage against the opposite side walls of the carton and reinforce the same. The handle is substantially spaced from the end walls of the ,carton and therefore can not readily be damaged from these directions. As the top of the iron handleis spaced from the top of the carton it is necessary to flex the top of the carton inwardly a considerable distance before damage tothe handle may occur. Such inward flexing requires the distortion of others of the carton walls as well as the pad and as a result the iron is effectively protected.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my carton packing construction and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may bemade within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A pad for use in a rectangular carton, the pad comprising a body of thick sheet material including a bottom panel and a pair of substantially parallel side wall panels, foldably connected flaps on an end of the side walls and bottom panel, said iiaps being connected with each other along lines of fold, the flap overlying the bottom panel being bulged upwardly at its vcenter' in spaced relation to the bottom panel to form a pocket, the lines of fold between the flaps resting on said bottom panel.

2. The structure described in claim 1 and including diagonally extending fold lines in the ap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the diagonal fold lines extending inwardly from the juncture between the bottom panel and the side wall panels toward the center of` this ap.

3. A pad for usein a rectangular carton, the pad including a sheet of relatively heavy paper board or the like folded along a line spaced from one end of the pad to form a connected flap structure, the pad including fold lines at substantially right angles to the flrst mentioned line of fold dividing the pad into a bottom panel and a pair of side wall panels foldable into substanbottom panel to form a in the nap structure lying in a substantially common plane.rl l

4. The structure described ,in claim 3 and including al pair of diagonal fold lines converging Afrom the juncture between the bottom panel line spaced from one edge thereof and parallel thereto, and a pair of fold lines at right angles to the first mentioned fold line for dividing the portion of the bodyon one side of the first mentioned fold line into a. bottom panel and side wall panels, the portion of the pad between the spaced fold lines and on the other side of the rst mentioned fold line being divided into three generally triangular areas by diagonal fold lines extending from the juncture between the first mentioned fold line and the spaced fold lines. and a mid point on the free edge of the pad, saidI triangular areas being foldable into semipyramidal form above the bottom panel.

tially parallel relationship, the portion of the` v:flap structure overlying the bottom panel bulging upwardly at its center point away from the 6. A -packing pad for use in conjunctionwith a rectangular carton, the pad including a gen-v erally rectangular body parallel to, opposite side edges of the body, a second pair of fold lines extending in right angular relation to the first mentioned fold lines and dividing the bodyinto a center portion and two substantially similar outer portions, the portions of said center portion of the body outwardly of the first mentioned fold lines being divided into three triangular areas, foldable into lsemipyramidal form above said center portion.

7. A pad for use in a generally rectangular carton including a body of paperboard-folded to provide a bottom panel and a pair of generally parallel side wall panels, integral end flap structure at each end of said panels.' each end` flap structure including a pair of wall aps hingedly connected to the wall panels and the bottom ap structure foldably connected to the bottom panel,

said wall flaps being foldably connected to the bottom flap structure, said bottom nap structure being bulged upwardly into semi-pyramidal form from vsaid bottom panel to form pockets.

8. The structure described in claim 7 and including diagonally extending fold lines in the bottom flap structure dividing the bottom ap structure into three connected triangular areas folded to produce a semi-pyramidal form.

9. The structure described in claim 7 and including a notch in one of said upwardly bulged portions at the uppermost portion of the bulge.

i -RUSSELL J. HENNEVSSEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecord in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,653,690 'Appelbaum` Dec. 27, 1927 1,722,338 Papendick July 30, 1929 2,354,401 y Pemberton July 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 464,152 Great Britain Apr. 13. 1937 pocket. the lines of fold I including a pair of substantially parallel fold lines spaced from and- 

